10 June 2009

the economy

It's what everyone is talking about. Everyone is affected by it. I have friends in the medical and education field who are telling me they may not have jobs next year because of it. Doctors, nurses, and teachers - the fundamental positions in our society...

I have this theory that the state of our country wouldn't be in this mess if we as individual people had followed a simple "rule" to begin with. My Dad instilled it into us growing up, and my husband (Barak the Great) has reiterated and enforced it in our home.

Don't spend money you don't have and give wisely what you do have.

Doing everything possible to stay out of debt (from an individual or company) gives you freedom to do the things you want to do and should do.
This has been lived out in how many pairs of shoes I buy (this number changes, depending who you talk to - Barak seems to think 3 is plenty, I know 20 is conservative.) only half of my collection is shown below...

to what car we drive. If you don't know or can't tell from the picture, we have a 92 Camery with faded hood and roof. Let's just say it's a good thing Barak knows his way around a car engine.

All so we can give to organizations worth supporting and individuals in need - Not so we can just be cheap and frugel for frugel's sake.

I was a little scared when I received the letter from my school district stating that I cannot be guaranteed, at this point, a job next year. My job in limbo was frightening, but only for about 3 seconds.

Who has brought me this far? Has Gaston County Schools provided me my life, food, and shelter? Our God has always been my provider and is faithful to continue! It's easy to forget, though I'm not sure why. I let emotional people lead me into irrational emotional states.

This hope has given me the ability to stay positive (another saying in the Cutrer household) no matter my situation and circumstances. I can play with my puppy and laugh with my husband.

No aching of dread has stoped me from enjoying our God through this uncertain time. He remains constant and my Portion.

01 June 2009

nothing new


Since I only have one week left with students, my life kind of feels like it's going into coast - for a little bit, anyway.
So, I don't have huge ideas to share or ground breaking events shattering my existence.

mediocre happenings in the West household:
Barak and I are getting our puppy this Sunday. The picture is an updated one from the first post. We decided to call it Charlie. It has a little mustache like Charlie Chaplain. We might even call it Chuck when it gets older. Isn't he adorable? Yes, we think so, too.

Last weekend Barak and I joined a few other MC friends to celebrate Erica's marriage... again. She was married in December in Nicaragua, and now held her family's American ceremony in Virginia. It was beautiful. We even saw some old friends like Jimmy (as in gourd) and his wife and Byron and his family. I posted a picture of Byron dancing with one of his beautiful daughters. Dancing - wow, THAT hasn't happened in a long time for me. Warming up to some Jackson 5 and keepin it real with Love Shack brought back some crazy college memories of Leah showing us the "bomb" dance. I think I even pulled out some "ketchup" a time or two.